And the seventh chapter begins...

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling does, I solely own this story

­Chapter 7: Two Separate Lives

Over the next couple of months, Alina lived like a robot, with a regular routine. She woke up at precisley 6 AM, took a shower, and went for a morning walk after a quick bowl of cereal in the Head Dorm. This way she avoided people in general until classes began, which left little room for covnersation and socializing. As soon as all classes let out she rushed to her room and methodically finished her homework, going to the library if necessary. At exactly 6 o'clock pm she ate dinner, arriving earlier than most and was finished by the time everyone had arrived. At 6:40 she either took a stroll outside or explored the castle until 7:30. Then she would finish any other work she had or simply drew. On weekends she stayed in quite late, skipping breakfast and woke up for lunch. She shied away from huge gropus of people and instead spent almost the whole day outside. On rainy days she simply sat outside, but out of the rain, under an alcove. She'd hum along to her music and daydream again. Aside from the occasional Hogsmeade outings, her routine was always consistent. Until one day she had gone to the kitchens early in the morning to find Draco Malfoy already there, taking a sip of what looked to be orange juice. She had been avoididng him and she knew he had noticed. All he said was "Morning" and she the same to him, making herself a good cup of coffee.

It was hard to ignore those gray-blue eyes. Alina focused on her cereal but the silence was extremely uncomfortable. She left as son as she was done. After that day, he never ceased appearing there that early, at the same time she did. The silence at first was odd, but as the days progressed she began to enjoy his silent company. On October 28th, Alina was chewing her Honey Nut Cheerios absentmindedly when she felt his eyes on her. 'Don't look.'

"Is there something absolutely hideous on my face right now?" she commented, still eating, without looking at him.

"No, not really. But- what are you doing Halloween?"

"Sleeping hopefully." She ate another spoonful.

"Would you think that a trip to Hogsmeade would be a much better use of your time?"

"Maybe."

"Then would a trip to Hogsmeade with me be worth your time?" This time she couldn't help it. She looked at him. She hadn't realized how close he had been- he smelled like citrus. Duh. He only drank orange juice or milk in the morning.

"Are you asking me out on a date?" she asked bluntly.

"If you say yes."

"Then are you pulling a prank?"

"No." He added no shocked look at the suggestion and didn't stutter. He only started at her, as if she was the only thing that existed in the world at that moment.

"Then yes, I'd love a date in Hogsmeade with you." she returned his gaze, searching every detail of his face.

"10 am by the main entrance, then."

"That early?"

"Well, I said a day, didn't I?" he cracked a smile.

"Whatever Draco." It felt good to hear his name when she said it; no other sound could be sweeter.

"Bye Alina," she turned around to see him leave.

"Bye." she smiled, giving hima small wave.

'Crap'.

During Alina's months of isolation and routine, Selena had blossomed into a queen bee, if ever there was such a thing at Hogwarts. She adored the new lifestyle, the different atmosphwere and scenery. She had no problem embracing Hogwarts' life. Quickly she befriended not only Harry Potter, but Hermione, Ginny, Ron, and many others, even in different houses. Selena disliked her sister's non-social ways that were, or had used to be so unlike Alina. The Alina she had known had once been happy, smart and social, constantly busy. Now all she did was work, sleep, and then nothing. Meanwhile Selena had joined the Quidditch team, making many guys adore her but most of them quickly lost her attention.

She happened upon a couple that was "engaged" and muttered apologies before rushing off. Slightly flustered she ran into an also very flustrered Neville Longbottom, makign him drop his frog and causing her to spill the contents of her bag. They both ended up scrambing for each other's things and it resulted in a mess which caused Selena to start laughing hysterically. Shyly Neville laughed too, and both helped each other, joking about their own clumsiness. Instantaneously the two became friends: she found him kind, shy but brave, and humble. Slightly cute even. Unfortunately he had a thing already for Luna Lovegood, as strange as it was, but Selena had no problem simply being his friend. But for some odd reason she was beginning to feel lonely. So when she woke up to see Alina in their room searching her closet she instantly became eager and hyper. "Does someone have a date?" Rater than avoid Selena, Alina decided to be straightforward.

"Yes. Now help me."

"Yeesh. Okay, where are you going?"

"Hogsmeade. In.. an hour." Alina answered, checking her watch.

"Why so early?" Selena yawned and rubbed her eyes awake, and got up, fumblign for her slippers and glasses.

"He said it was going to be a whole day."

"And who would 'he' be?"

"Draco Malfoy. Are you going to help me or not?" Selena's mouth was agape but slowly her shocked expression turned into a smile. Her sister was finally getting out.

"You know he's like, one of the hottest teens alive in the wizarding world, right?" Alina said nothing and continued to pull clothes after clothes out of her closet. "And you know he's Slytherin and one of the biggest prats in Hogwarts, right? And that he's known for being a devious, sly, tease?" Alina set her clothes down.

"Yes, I know."

"Aww. I'm so proud of you. Such a rebel." Alina threw her shoe at her.

"Even if they say that, he's not like that. Not to me." Selena grin grew. She hadn't seen her sister act like herself for a while.

"Wear your dark blue jeans and my long sleeve red shirt with the hood and your black coat. And instead of David's necklace wear Mom's gold one. Wear the black ankle boots and the white scarf. Simplicity is key."

"As always," Alina muttered.

"Go get him girl."

"Merlin you haven't said that to me in a while. I'm normally the one who says that."

"Because you're finally getting your life back. Now move it sis."

"Okay, okay," and with that she walked to the main entrance.

A/N: review please!

any ideas for how i should eventually end the story?

its going to take a while to finish teh whole thing though- sorry :)